Ratchet wrench



p 7, 1937- E. K. YUASA 2,092,345

RATCHET WRENCH Filed Jan. 11, 1937. 3 Sheets-Shget 1 Attorneys p 7, 1937. E. K. YUASA 2,092,345

RATCHET WRENCH Filed Jan. 11, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I n van for Z. J/Z/QLYCL Aitorne ys p 1937. E. K. YUASA 2,092,345

RATCHET WRENCH Filed Jan. 11, 1957 :5 sheets -sheet s Inventor 1 [1. Emma Aitprncys Patented Sept. 7, 1937 2,092,345 RATCHET WRENCH Edward K. lluasa, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Application January 11, 1937, Serial o. 120,053

1 Claim. (01. 81l-63) This invention relates to what is believed-tobe a structurally novel and improved ratchet wrench susceptible of accommodating detachablevarious sized work-engaging socket units, and characterized primarily by an adjustable operating handle susceptible of being properly angled with respect to the work toclear adjacent obstructions.

1 I have discovered the need for a two-way pawl and ratchet wrench capable, of being operatively connected with a gbolt or nut, after which the operating handle may be conveniently angled in relation to the work to permit the hand and said .handle to swing clear of objects which would otherwise constitute obstructions in limited and substantially inaccessible places. In reducing the principles of the inventive idea to practice I have accomplished this desirable resultthrough the instrumentality of satisfactorily selected and mechanically coordinated parts contributing their proportional share to the production of an efficient and practical structure distinguishable from tools of the ratchet type now knownto me.

Briefly stated, the preferred embodiment of the invention embodies a handle having a spherical shell on one end thereof, there beinga tool adapter ball or equivalent part in the shell, said ball being constructed to accommodate detachable socket elements, and further toothed and otherwise formed to co-act with manually regulated trip-controlled pawl means.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawmgs. Y I In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:-

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a tool or wrench constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing, in dotted lines, the adjustable phase of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the essential parts appearing in section to disclose the special construction and adaption thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device seen in both Figures 1 and 2, the View being enlarged, and portions being broken away and shown in section to disclose otherwise concealed details.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the left hand end portion of Figure. 1.

. Figure 5 is a detail elevational view of the balllike tool holder or adapter unit.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the manually tripped latch and pawl adjusting and retaining means.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the double prong Y-shaped pawl or dog.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2 the operatinglever or handle is denoted by the numeral ,8 and is of any appropriate shape and dimension. It is pro-. vided on its working end with a spherical shell or hollow head unitarily denotedby the numeral 9. This comprises a relatively stationarysemispherical bottom section I0 formedintegral with thehandle seenbetter in Figure 2, and a correspondingly shaped detachable cap member H, threadedly or otherwise held in place. The cap memberis provided in its crown portion with an oil groove l2 and an orifice or port l3 to lubricate the segmental end thrust bearing l4.

Mounted for oscillation in the spherical housing or shell is the tool holder and actuating unit l5. As before indicated this is a ball-like object characterized by distinguishable features. The two segmental ends constituting the top and bottom are denoted and distinguished by the numerals l6 and I! and these provide the desired bearing and tilting members. The numerals l8 designate peripheral arcuate ribs which are in effect ratchet teeth. Formed integrally on the bottom sector or segment ll is a stem or tool shank l9 having an abutment 20. On this shank is a spring-pressed ball or detent 2| and these features cooperate in accommodating the detachable socket members 22 shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. In practice the socket members 22, of which there will be different sizes, are standardized to fit on the detent-equipped shank l9. This shank works back and forth in a limited arcuate path through the arcuate slot 23 formed in the bottom of the spherical shell. This bottom part of the shell is formed with a bearing surface of segmental shape similar to the bearing l4, these bearing surfaces being of less diameter than the rest of the interior surface of the shell. The surfaces [6 and l! of the spherical unit l5 are each of greater diameter than that of the area containing the ribs I8.

I next call attention to the double acting pawl or dog of Y-shapeform indicated by the numeral 24. This is pivoted between converging shoulders 25 as indicated at the point 26. The alternately operable or usable prong-like teeth 211and 28 projectinto the shell where they engage with the segmental rack or ratchet teeth l8.

' The stem or shank portion of the pawl is provided with a recess constituting a keeper pocket 28 and thisis arranged to accommodate an eccentric keeper pin 29 on the hand-controlled latch or trigger member 30. This comprises a UNITEDZSTATES PATENTJIVOFFIICELT f disk-like portion 3| provided with a finger piece 32, and also provided with a circular projection or extension 33 mounted for oscillation in a recess or socket formed in the handle Within the vicinity of the pawl as disclosed in Figure 2 of the drawings. In the marginal portion of this extension I provide selectively usable keeper seats 34 and 35 to accommodate the springpressed ball check or detent retainer 36 as shown in Figure 3. Thus the latch unit 30 can be swung to either one of its positions and held there through the instrumentality of the features 36, and 34 or 35 as the case may be. Since the latch has controlling connection with the pawl by way of the pin 29 and pocket 28, it is possible to adjust the pawl so that either one of the teeth 21 may be selectively used. This makes it possible to turn the tool holder l in the desired direction as conditions may require.

The gist of the invention is predicated upon the adoption and use'of' a handle or lever having a spherical shell on one end to accommodate a ball-like tool holder and actuator, this being mounted for oscillation whereby it is possible to swing the handle to the desired angular position for clearance purposes and to at the same time maintain ball and ratchet operating connection between the handle and tool holder.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

What is claimed is:-

A device of the class described comprising a spherical shell having a segmental slot in its bottom, and upper and lower arcuate bearing surfaces in its interior of less diameter than the rest of the shell, a spherical member located in the shell and having upper and lower segmental bearing surfaces of greater diameter than the rest of the member for engaging the bearing surfaces of the shell, arcuate-shaped teeth on the member between said upper and lower bearing surfaces, a shank extending downwardly from the lower bearing surface of the member, through the slot in the shell, a handle connected with the shell and extending from the portion thereof midway the top and bottom portions thereof, a double pawl pivoted to the handle engaging the teeth of the spherical member, a latch pivoted to the handle and having a part engaging the pawl and yieldable means for holding thelatch in adjusted position.

EDWARD K. YUASA. 

